Simon Rowlands to step down from HBF

Simon Rowlands, founder member and inaugural Chair of the Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF), steps down tomorrow after more than three years’ service.

Simon was instrumental in the conception of HBF during the summer of 2015, prior to its formation in August of that year. Since then, he has shaped a theretofore non-entity into a powerful voice, both inside racing and further afield.

Notable achievements include

– surveying punters on data improvements, account restrictions and their impact on the appetite to bet on racing;

– pushing for the publication of wind surgery on race cards, and more accurate racecourse measurements;

– lobbying for the — now implemented — tighter control of non-runners;

– pushing for 48 hour declarations for all Cheltenham Festival races;

– contributing to a number of BHA consultations;

– working towards more and better data in the areas of going and sectional timing; and,

– speaking on behalf of British racing bettors at an All-Party Betting and Gaming Group seminar in the House of Lords.

Matt Bisogno, HBF Chair, said, “I’d like to place on record my deep gratitude to Simon for his tireless work and leadership: his comprehensive awareness of the industry, allied to an infectious tenacity, has been a great example to all HBF members. It goes without saying he will be missed on the Forum and, from a personal perspective, I want to thank Simon for his guidance, but mostly for instilling the confidence to challenge and push for what we believe is right for British racing punters and the sport in general”.

Notes to editors

The Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) was created in August, 2015, with the assistance of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to represent the perceived interests of those who bet upon, or who might bet upon, British horseracing.

The HBF seeks to ensure that those interests are understood and taken into account in the relevant decision-making processes, for the good of both bettors and the sport of horseracing in Britain.

The HBF consists of between seven and nine members – all voluntary and unpaid – who convene roughly once every three months to discuss issues that they feel are relevant to British horseracing punters. The HBF has no mandatory powers, but, where appropriate, it seeks to influence policy in accordance with its stated objectives.